Use: A dual purpose medium heavy fowl; used more for egg production than meat production because of its dark colored pin feathers and its good rate of lay.

Origin: Developed in the New England states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, early flocks often had both single and rose combed individuals because of the influence of Malay blood. It was from the Malay that the Rhode Island Red got its deep color, strong constitution and relatively hard feathers.

Characteristics: Rhode Island Reds are a good choice for the small flock owner. Relatively hardy, they are probably the best egg layers of the dual purpose breeds. Reds handle marginal diets and poor housing conditions better than other breeds and still continue to produce eggs. They are one of the breeds where exhibition qualities and production ability can be successfully combined in a single strain. Some “Red” males may be quite aggressive. They have rectangular, relatively long bodies, typically dark red in color. Avoid using medium or brick red females for breeding because this is not in keeping with the characteristics of the breed. Also, don’t breed from undersized individuals or birds with black in their body feathers (called “smutt”). Black in the main tail and wing feathers is normal, however. Most Reds show broodiness, but this characteristic has been partially eliminated in some of the best egg production strains. The Rose Comb variety tends to be smaller but should be the same size as the Single Combed variety. The red color fades after long exposure to the sun.

Araucana
The Araucana, also known in the USA as a South American Rumpless,[1] is a breed of chicken originating in Chile. It is well known for its blue or green eggs, which has been a subject of controversy regarding whether or not the breed was developed from birds that arrived pre or post Columbian. The egg colour is reportedly caused by a DNA retrovirus that occurred sometime early in domestication.[2] The Araucana is often confused with other fowl, especially the Ameraucana and Easter Egger.

Australorp
The Australorp is a chicken breed of Australian origin.
It is a large, soft-feathered bird, with white toenails, black legs and beak, and a moderately large and upright single comb, with five distinct points. The Australorp is hardy, docile, and a good egg-layer, as well as a meat bird. The original stock used in the development of the Australorp was imported to Australia from England out of the Black Orpington yards of William Cook and Joseph Partington in the period from 1890 to the early 1900s with Rhode Island Red. Local breeders used this stock together with judicious out-crossings of Minorca, White Leghorn and Langshan blood to improve the utility features of the imported Orpingtons. There is even a report of some Plymouth Rock blood also being used. The emphasis of the early breeders was on utility features. At this time, the resulting birds were known as Australian Black Orpingtons (Austral-orp).
The origin of the name “Australorp” seems to be shrouded in as much controversy as the attempts to obtain agreement between the States over a suitable national Standard. The earliest claim to the name was made by one of poultry fancy’s institutions, Wiliam Wallace Scott, before the First World War. From 1925 Wal Scott set to work to have Australorp recognized as a breed with the Poultry Society as he developed the breed. Equally as persuasive a claim came in 1919 from Arthur Harwood who suggested that the “Australian Laying Orpingtons” be named “Australs”. The letters “orp” were suggested as a suffix to denote the major breed in the fowl’s development. A further overseas claim to the name came from Britain’s W. Powell-Owen who drafted the British Standard for the breed in 1921 following the importation of the “Australian Utility Black Orpingtons.” It is certain that the name “Australorp” was being used in the early 1920s when the breed was launched internationally. In 1929, the Australorp was admitted to the Standard of Perfection.
The Australorp currently has three recognised colours according to the Australian Poultry Standard; black, white and blue. Prior to 2012 only Blue and Black were recognised but in the 2nd edition of the standard white was added. A fourth colour, splash (a natural result of blue to blue breeding in chickens), exists but is not regonised and is not showable. The black Australorp is the most common colour, and has glossy black feathers and a lustrous green sheen (known as beetle green). The blue Australorp has a grey-blue plumage, the white Australorp is a pure white bird and splash is a white bird with randomly spotted black and grey feathers.
It was the egg laying performance of Australorps which attracted world attention when in 1922-23 a team of six hens set a world record of 1857 eggs at an average of 309.5 eggs per hen for a 365 consecutive day trial. It must be remembered that these figures were achieved without the lighting regimes of the modern intensive shed. Such performances had importation orders flooding in from England, United States of America, South Africa, Canada and Mexico. Well looked after Australorps lay approximately 250 light-brown eggs per year. A new record was set when a hen laid 364 eggs in 365 days.[1] They are also known to be good nest sitters and mothers, making them one of the most exceptional large, heritage utility breeds of chicken.
Weight
Australorp chick (three days old)Large Australorps
Cock 3.9 – 4.7 kg 8.6 – 10.3 lbs
Hen 3.3 – 4.2 kg 7.3 – 9.2 lbs
Cockerel 3.2 – 3.6 kg 7 – 7.9 lbs
Pullet 3.0 – 3.6 kg 6.6 – 7.9 lbsBantam Australorps
Cock 1.2 kg 2.6 lbs
Hen 790 g 1.7 lbs
Cockerel 1.6 – 2.1 kg 3.5 – 4.6 lbs
Pullet 1.3 – 1.9 kg 2.9 – 4.2 lbs

So this is some of the information I have about the chickens we have. All of our girls are very good layers. I plan to add new breeds this spring. Some of the breeds I would like to add is Silkie, Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte. Hope you enjoy your chickens as much as we enjoy ours.